1966 Ford Mustang GT: Restoration Shop Nightmares Galore
It’s hard to trust anyone with the keys to your beloved Mustang, let alone with the task of bringing it back to its magnificent glory.
Mechanic shop horror stories are a dime a dozen. Restoration shop horror stories are just as common, if not more so. Maybe its because some classic vehicle owners seem to represent an “open checkbook” to crooked builders who promise mind-blowing restorations in record-breaking times. No matter what the reason, it’s a sadly familiar tale for many.
Joe Parker from North Carolina found this out the hard way. Back in 1965, Joe’s dad gifted his mom a 1966 Ford Mustang GT for Christmas. The rest is history — albeit a troubled one.
In a letter published in the Ford Performance newsletter’s Ford Fan Spotlight section, Joe explains his pony car’s expensive and frustrating journey.
Originally painted Emberglo red with a black leather interior, Joe’s Mustang was driven by his mom for several years until it was passed down to him in 1971. A move to Texas meant the Mustang was daily driven for years. In 1990, Joe moved back to North Carolina. He decided to keep the car in Texas to get restored at a professional shop. Of course, that didn’t happen.
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The GT basically sat abandoned for a year. It was eventually transported to North Carolina and taken to yet another restorer. For whatever reason, the car sat, outside, until 2013 when Joe contacted a third restorer. Luckily, this one was able to restore it back to its original, charming condition.
The third time was indeed the charm, as the last shop took things seriously and truly got to work. In the end, something that began in the early 90’s was finally completed in August 2017.
Talk about patience! Joe claims that there were several upgrades performed on the car, such as a GT350 hood, two-tone leather seats, and an absolutely gorgeous paint job. There’s nothing like seeing a Mustang brought back to its former glory. We think Joe’s is one of the best ones we’ve come across in a while.
